BSR help

[Kath C.]

i was recently told to keep some pressure on the foot after having trouble with skipped stitches
seems much better now
kate

[Karen M.]

Last night I was so frustrated with my BSR skipping stitches, breaking thread and generally making me crazy, that this morning I went to my Bernina dealer with stitch samples in hand. After lengthy discussion we discovered my problem (not the BSR's problem) I was using 2 different thread weights-bottomline in the bobbin and King Tut 40 wt. on top. Not good. My needle kept dragging on the applique pieces because of buildup of the fusible glues. My bobbin case had been loosened for another project and I forgot about it...changed that out for a new bobbin case-keeping the other for bobbin stitching with stuff like Razzle Dazzle. And I purchased a Super Slider to use with the BSR. What a great difference this all made. And best of all I didn't have to leave my machine and BSR in the "hospital" Yeah! Karen

[Teri L.]

Having two threads top and bottom should not be a problem. Try threading the little hook or arm on the bobbin itself and drop the tension on top.
Practice on a piece that has the same fabric & batting that you're using in your quilt Then try dropping the tension on the bsr itself (I believe that tension wheel is on the side of the machine).

Happier quilting!
Teri

[Karen M.]

Teri-I didn't know about changing the tension on the BSR-have you done that before? Its working great now, maybe I shouldn't mess with it! Karen

[Karen M.]

If it's working now, don't change anything . My suggestion to the original problem would have been to check the needle size was suitable for the King Tut, it will work best with a Topstitch 90. The bobbin tension being loose was undoubtedly your main culprit though.

[Betty J.]

So glad you have it working now! Here's how I set my BSR up and it works like a dream.

I often use different weights of thread with the Bottom Line in the bobbin, but I thread it through the spring and use the original bobbin tension. I drop the top tension (it's just a temporary change so you can try it once and see--it resets when off) to 2.5 and the stitch length to 1.0 to 1.7, depending on the look I want. I use an embroidery needle or a large-eyed needle, to handle. I use a super slider. It is wonderful. I didn't have any success with the BSR until I did all of this. No skipped stitches, nice gentle curves, beautiful!

I even used metalic thread in the upper thread and Bottom Line in the bobbin recently for my daughter-in-law's bag, and it worked magnificently.

[Teri L.]

Karen, I don't have a BSR...I just have a memory for unusual quilting info...at a Super Seminar Libby mentioned that she lowers the tension on the presser foot when she's using the BSR. It's a little wheel on the left side of the machine.

happy quilting!
teri

[Karen M.]

Thanks for the suggestions. I did remember about lowering the tension on the pressure foot, I think the fusible was the biggest culprit all along. Adding the single hole plate helped stop the wobble and I am sure the new bobbin was needed all along. They seem to be touchy. I am busy fusing again for my next project so it will be a day or two before I get stitching again. I'll let you all know how it goes then. Thanks again for you helpful hints.

[Karen M.]

I also have had major probloems with skipped stitches with the bsr. And I too oiled etc etc and the problem was gone....for a brief time, then returned.
i'll try 0 tension, the only thing i haven't done of all the suggestions.

[Karen M.]

I have found that in order to get even stitches with the BSR I need to go much slower than I do when freemotion quilting without the BSR. I am certainly no expert on either method but when I have my 440 set to beep when I get to fast it is a much slower pace.

Debra

How do you set your 440 to beep if you go too fast with the BSR?

[Betty J.]

I was reading some of the responses and I think there may be some confusion on what the thread tension is. Be careful not to confuse the lowering of the tension with the lowering of the pressure on the presser foot. There's a button on the touch screen to touch to lower the tension, usually set at 4.0, and I set it for 2.5 on mine. The wheel thingy on the left side of the machine that clicks when you turn it is the pressure on the presser foot, which one sometimes needs to change depending on the thickness or density of the fabric, but it is not the tension. I usually don't need to change that on ordinary quilts. Then also if you use a very short stitch -- I use between a 1.0 and 1.5 stitch length with my BSR--you will have more success. On my machine, you set the sound bell on or off on the lower right side of the touch screen.

If you don't lower the actual tension and shorten your stitch, you are more likely to have problems. Hope this helps.

[Betty J.]

I have had my first proper play with the BSR today. Yay!! I was less nervous sitting behind the wheel of the Porsche for the first time, I can tell you!!

I set up some fabric with stabiliser and used the hoop. Foot pressure down as in the booklet, the clear foot and BSR 1 just about how it was in the shop when I test drove it. I must admit, it took a little getting used to but I was quite pleased.

I did notice one thing though that even at a slow and even speed it would beep and race now and then. Is this normal? I was really careful to watch my speed and even when I made a point of going slow it still did it for a second or two.

Amo
UK

[Betty J.]

That happens to me sometimes, it might have something to do with the fabric pattern. Sometimes mine also has a time delay, foot down and nothing happens, then off it goes like a bullet. So firt few stitches tend to be uneven. :? Any ideas folks? also, I am on a 630, what are you folks on, I know that amo is 730, and the rest?
lynn

[Margo C.]

I don't know if this will help anyone, but when I use my BSR (on my Bernina 630) I quilt just like I did before I got it. I use my foot pedal to start and stop the stitching, just like I have always done with free motion quilting, but the pedal does not control the speed of the needle....the BSR does! I can push the pedal all the way down....but the BSR controls the stitch length. Doing it this way, I know when the stitching will start and stop because the pedal controls that function. I have also found (thanks to Libby Lehman!) that by shortening the stitch length to 1.3-1.5 the BSR is much more responsive to the movement of the fabric and I get a more uniform stitch. (The default stitch length on the BSR is 2.0)
If you are using the BSR without the foot pedal....try it....you may like it!

[Betty J.]

I used the foot pedal for a long time until I got really comfortable with the BSR. It's a wonderful way to go--gives you a greater sense of control, and you also have to lower the tension. I think they are all a little different..the default is 4.0, but I lower mine to 2.5 for most threads and even a little lower for metallics.